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Charles O Brown, Jr. 321st BG, 447thBS, 57th BW

2009
—Calif

"BROWNIE" From the start-time at Scott Field, about April-May 1942, every other weekend Ed took the train to Chicago where his "Bride" Alta was Head of Surgical Technique at Michael Reese, and every other weekend (until Grad. in Sept) Ed's other Friend, Jack Best's wife (Helen) would come, stopping to gather Alta (Helen was from Pittsburg, PA) and continue on to Scott Field, on the OTHER side of Illinois ! Ed and Alta, Jack and Helen Best and Charles "Orville" Brown, Jr. "Brownie" would have a grand time, a few beers, home-made sandwiches and lots of card-games ! They made a lot of FUN out of very few supplies and enjoyed the weekends very much.

Barbi Ennis Connolly, Daughter and 321st Bomb Group Historian.

In the 1930 Census, Charles "Orville" Brown, Jr was living with his maternal grandparents, Ansel and Sarah Sims on Branciforte Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA.

Charles O Brown, Jr. was living at 6 Manor Avenue, Santa Cruz, Calif when he joined the AAC on 4 Feb. 1942, at Moffitt Field, Calif. He was born in 1914 in Calif. He met his 'best friend" Edward C Ennis while being assigned to the Army Air Corp. "Scott Firld, Ill Radio Academy" where they became fast friends. Ed and "Brownie" went to Boca raton to learn Top Secret "Airborne RADAR" and then they traveled to DeRidder AAB in LA. "RADAR" men were assigned to the 321st BG on 1 Jan.1943 5 to a Squadron (4 Squads) Brownie met his "other" best friend there (Walter Cantrell) at DeRidder AAF, LA to continue learning Air Combat. Ed and Brownie graduated from Radio School 12 Sept, 1942 and AMAZINGLY, stayed together and were assigned to the 321st BG, the 447th BS as a RADAR men on the 1st Jan. 1943 with the B- 25 Mitchell Medium Bomber Group. Gen Bob Knapp's 321st Bomb Group! would make HISTORY as they were the 1st to make the Atlantic Ocean Crossing, the Southern Route in a single mass without loss. Feb. 1943 out of Morrison Field, Fla.

"Brownie" Charles O Brown, Jr.

MILDRED Ethel Baughn was "Brownie's" MOTHER. Mildred was the ONLY Baughn daughter born in South Dakota, and both census that Brownie is in, says his Mother, was born in South Dakota.

His Father was Charles Orville Brown. Charles Orville Brown was registered for WWI draft. He and Mildred were divorced and he moved back to Oregon some place near where he had family. Only once did he visit Orville and it was a disappointment. Orville's (real) dad, Nick Doman raised him and he was loved by all of his family.

Brownie's Mother, Mildred, later married (about 1922?) a man named Nicholas Domancich (later shortened to DOMAN), and they had TWO daughters, so Brownie/"Orville" has 2 half sisters, (Palmena) Palma Doman, born about 1923, and Sarah Lou Doman, born about 1926. Sarah Lou was probably named for Mildred's Mother, Sarah L. Brown Baughn Sims.

Mildred lived to be 99 years & 7 months old. 50 years WITHOUT her son, Brownie/Orville.

Now, Mildred's 1930 census says she was 1st married at 16, which would have been about 1909, but the 1910 census, says she is 17, at home, and SINGLE. Mildred & Charles O. Brown, SR. may have been married shortly AFTER the 1910 census.